The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Eket Field Office, Akwa Ibom State has sealed 31 illegal gas stations in the state.

The Operations Controller of DPR in the state, Mr Tamunoiminabo Kingsley-Sundaye said yesterday in an interview in Eket Local Government Area that the exercise was carried out between 9th and 16th January.

He said the illegal gas stations were sealed in Eket and Uyo local government areas, and five of them were operating without valid licenses, adding that most of the illegal gas stations were carrying out dangerous operations in the state.

“A total of 31 illegal gas stations were sealed, out of the 31, five out of them have not renewed their expired licenses, whereas the remaining 26 are illegal by the siting of the stations and operations.

“They are doing refilling of cylinder, by simply securing a hose and transferring gas from smaller cylinder to another without considering laid down safety rules and regulations,” he stated.

He explained that what was allowed and legal was the exchange of cylinder to cylinder, saying “bring your empty cylinder and give to the owners of the stations and they would give you the filled one back”.

News Source : https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/